A LITTLE SISTER. 5

speak to him !" And now Jack's rage for the moment
conquers his grief, and his heart burns with unjust
anger towards his father.
 Poor Jack! affectionate, proud, foolish Jack!
 Long he sat in the cold, his throbbing heart full
of grief and bitterness. He had chosen this room
for his, because from it he could see the little grave-
yard, with the white cross marking his another's
resting place.
 There it was to-night, shining bright and clear!
 Bitterly he thought of her-of her ever tender
sympathy and welcoming love-how he longed for
them just now!
 Lower and lower his head sank, till it rested in
his hands, as the hot tears trickled slowly through
his fingers. His head was bent, as I said, and his
breast was so full of gloomy thoughts, that he did
not hear the door softly opened, nor see a little
white-robed figure, with its wealth of golden curls,
steal across the room to him, looking like a little
messenger spirit just stept from the silver ladder of
moonlight, which streamed through the window
where Jack sat crouched despondently.
 Two small arms were thrown around his neck, and
warm kisses rained on the hands that covered his
face.
 0 Jack! Jack! I thought you'd never come home,